Marie Tolver Nielsen, Maja Hykkelbjerg Nielsen, Sonja Sørensen, Morten Skovdal
{"title":"The social and organisational factors shaping acceptability of a self-management education and exercise intervention for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis in Greenland.","authors":"Marie Tolver Nielsen, Maja Hykkelbjerg Nielsen, Sonja Sørensen, Morten Skovdal","doi":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2350120","DOIUrl":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2350120","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to explore the experiences and perspectives of people with osteoarthritis attending the \"Osteoarthritis School\" (OA School) in Nuuk, Greenland to generate insights and lessons that can inform the development of self-management education and exercise interventions for people with other lifestyle conditions in a Greenland context. We conducted a qualitative interpretive description (ID) study based on ten semi-structured interviews with people with hip or knee osteoarthritis. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded. Using ID, we identified three themes: 1) perceptions and experiences of how the OA School intervention was organised (time and place); 2) perspectives and experiences of the education and exercise components (social factors, motivation, and education); and 3) significant change stories (physical and mental improvements and increased knowledge of OA). Social and organisational factors, such as working out with peers and the time and place of the intervention, influenced the participants' acceptance of the OA School intervention. Knowledge from this study will help us gain insight into what to address when developing future self-management education and exercise interventions in the Greenlandic healthcare system.</p>","PeriodicalId":13930,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Circumpolar Health","volume":"83 1","pages":"2350120"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11073430/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140874643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maria Wielsøe, Manhai Long, Jens Søndergaard, Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
{"title":"Metal exposure in the Greenlandic ACCEPT cohort: follow-up and comparison with other Arctic populations.","authors":"Maria Wielsøe, Manhai Long, Jens Søndergaard, Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen","doi":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2381308","DOIUrl":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2381308","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Humans are exposed to metals through diet and lifestyle e.g. smoking. Some metals are essential for physiologically body functions, while others are non-essential and can be toxic to humans. This study follows up on metal concentrations in the Greenlandic ACCEPT birth-cohort (mothers and fathers) and compares with other Arctic populations. The data from 2019 to 2020 include blood metal concentrations, lifestyle and food frequency questionnaires from 101 mothers and 76 fathers, 24-55 years, living in Nuuk, Sisimiut, and Ilulissat. A high percentage (25-45%) exceeded international guidance values for Hg. For the mothers, the metal concentrations changed significantly from inclusion at pregnancy to this follow-up 3-5 years after birth; some increased and others decreased. Most metals differed significantly between mothers and fathers, while few also differed between residential towns. Several metals correlated significantly with marine food intake and socio-economic factors, but the direction of the correlations varied. Traditional marine food intake was associated positively with Se, As and Hg. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the most recent data on metal exposure of both men and women in Greenland, elucidating metal exposure sources among Arctic populations, and documents the need for continuing biomonitoring to follow the exceeding of guidance values for Hg. [Figure: see text].</p>","PeriodicalId":13930,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Circumpolar Health","volume":"83 1","pages":"2381308"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11290292/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141855457","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The trends in perceived health, well-being, and risk behaviours among high school students in Finnmark, Norway, compared to the national average.","authors":"Shiho Hansen","doi":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2420480","DOIUrl":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2420480","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examines trends in health, well-being, and risk behaviours among high school students in Finnmark, Norway, and compares them with the national average. Data were drawn from the Ungdata survey, covering three waves between 2014 and 2023. The sample included 6,084 high school students in Finnmark and 254,048 students nationwide. MANOVA with polynomial contrasts assessed linear trends among students in Finnmark, and MANOVA with difference contrast tested pairwise differences between Finnmark and national samples. Trend analysis revealed that 26 out of 63 variables, including digital use, school-related variables, antisocial behaviours, and depressive thoughts, increased over time, while 25 variables, such as physical activities, local environment, and bullying remained unchanged. Relationships with parents and substance use improved. Pairwise comparisons showed worse outcomes for Finnmark students in 43 and 41 out of 63 variables across waves, except for substance use and antisocial behaviours. This study indicates limited improvement in health and risk behaviours among high school students in Finnmark. Public health policies tailored to adolescents in Finnmark should focus on mental health services, promoting physical activity, and reducing antisocial behaviours and bullying. Further research should explore Finnmark's multiethnic context, including the Sámi and Kven populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":13930,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Circumpolar Health","volume":"83 1","pages":"2420480"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11533237/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142545331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yvonne Bohr, Jeffrey Hankey, Alaina Thomas, Marette Abdelmaseh, Leigh Armour, Hugh McCague, Jenna Barnhardt, Megis Oskalns, Nichaela Garvey, Yogita Singh, Cassie Danz, Chelsea Singoorie, Reuben Qaunaq, Iola Oshoweetok, Mathijs Lucassen, Sally Merry, Matthew Shepherd, Marc H Bornstein, Farah Ahmad, Shmuel Shulman, Jonathan Weiss
{"title":"A Nunavut community-directed Inuit youth mental wellness initiative: making I-SPARX fly.","authors":"Yvonne Bohr, Jeffrey Hankey, Alaina Thomas, Marette Abdelmaseh, Leigh Armour, Hugh McCague, Jenna Barnhardt, Megis Oskalns, Nichaela Garvey, Yogita Singh, Cassie Danz, Chelsea Singoorie, Reuben Qaunaq, Iola Oshoweetok, Mathijs Lucassen, Sally Merry, Matthew Shepherd, Marc H Bornstein, Farah Ahmad, Shmuel Shulman, Jonathan Weiss","doi":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2401210","DOIUrl":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2401210","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Inuit youth in Nunavut (NU) are resilient but face a protracted suicide crisis. The SPARX serious game and e-intervention, developed originally in New Zealand, teaches youth cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) skills to ameliorate stress and depression. Inuit youth in NU reviewed and culturally adapted SPARX and an existing wellness outcome measure for Inuit. One hundred and twenty-one youth, aged 13 to 24, across NU then tested, played, and evaluated I(nuit)-SPARX, showing improvement in several areas of wellbeing post-play. Youth completed a CBT skills survey, engaged in sharing circles to assess CBT skill retention, and shared their thoughts about the usefulness and cultural fit of I-SPARX with <i>Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ)</i>. <i>Communication Skills</i>, <i>Listening Skills</i>, and <i>Problem Solving</i> emerged as the most helpful learned CBT skills, and NU youth provided real-world examples of using I-SPARX skills to support their mental wellness. Several principles of <i>IQ</i> were exemplified and upheld in the content of the adapted SPARX tool and the process of the project as a whole. Empirically grounded, asynchronous e-tools, developed in collaboration with Inuit communities to ensure cultural specificity, may support psychological wellness in communities where mental health resources are scarce.</p>","PeriodicalId":13930,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Circumpolar Health","volume":"83 1","pages":"2401210"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11468022/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142400219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mia Solholt Godthaab Brath, Marina Sahakyan, Esben Bolvig Mark, Henrik Højgaard Rasmussen, Lasse Riis Østergaard, Jens Brøndum Frøkjær, Ulla Møller Weinreich, Marit Eika Jørgensen
{"title":"Ethnic differences in CT derived abdominal body composition measures: a comparative retrospect pilot study between European and Inuit study population.","authors":"Mia Solholt Godthaab Brath, Marina Sahakyan, Esben Bolvig Mark, Henrik Højgaard Rasmussen, Lasse Riis Østergaard, Jens Brøndum Frøkjær, Ulla Møller Weinreich, Marit Eika Jørgensen","doi":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2312663","DOIUrl":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2312663","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding ethnic variations in body composition is crucial for assessing health risks. Universal models may not suit all ethnicities, and there is limited data on the Inuit population. This study aimed to compare body composition between Inuit and European adults using computed tomography (CT) scans and to investigate the influence of demographics on these measurements. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 50 adults (29 Inuit and 21 European) who underwent standard trauma CT scans. Measurements focused on skeletal muscle index (SMI), various fat indices, and densities at the third lumbar vertebra level, analyzed using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and multiple linear regression. Inuit women showed larger fat tissue indices and lower muscle and fat densities than European women. Differences in men were less pronouncehd, with only Intramuscular fat density being lower among Inuit men. Regression indicated that SMI was higher among men, and skeletal muscle density decreased with Inuit ethnicity and age, while visceral fat index was positively associated with age. This study suggests ethnic differences in body composition measures particularly among women, and indicates the need for Inuit-specific body composition models. It higlights the importance of further research into Inuit-specific body composition measurements for better health risk assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":13930,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Circumpolar Health","volume":"83 1","pages":"2312663"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10846476/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139681075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"COVID-19 impacts in Northernmost Finland.","authors":"Ulla Timlin, Arja Rautio","doi":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2314368","DOIUrl":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2314368","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The COVID-19 pandemic challenged our lives during the years 2020-2022. Impacts could be seen in everyday life, both locally and nationally, through economic, mental and social elements. However, these effects varied depending on the life situation of individuals. This paper aims to gather information from the representatives and operators working in two Finnish municipalities, Inari and Utsjoki, to understand and learn about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data (20 interviews) were collected between December 2021 and February 2022 and analysed following the principles of the qualitative content analysis. The results suggest that the effects of COVID-19 emerged through issues related to the national border between Finland and Norway, economic challenges, and the pressure that people experienced. However, despite challenges, people were supported by everyday life and a connection to nature, communality and close co-operation. Additionally, local needs were highlighted among participants. The results provide a deeper understanding about the public health impacts in these Northernmost municipalities and can therefore be utilised in future development work. They also provide relevant information on the experiences of Sámi people, and specific views related to Sámi people can be recognised.</p>","PeriodicalId":13930,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Circumpolar Health","volume":"83 1","pages":"2314368"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10877646/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139740956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kathryn R Koller, Sarah H Nash, Julie A Beans, Gretchen M Day, Vanessa Y Hiratsuka, Ai-Ling Lin, Meera Narayanan, Christi A Patten, Sherry A Hammock, Barbara V Howard, Jason G Umans
{"title":"Evidence-based screening, clinical care and health education recommendations for Alaska Native peoples with prediabetes living in southcentral Alaska: findings from the Alaska EARTH follow-up study.","authors":"Kathryn R Koller, Sarah H Nash, Julie A Beans, Gretchen M Day, Vanessa Y Hiratsuka, Ai-Ling Lin, Meera Narayanan, Christi A Patten, Sherry A Hammock, Barbara V Howard, Jason G Umans","doi":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2343143","DOIUrl":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2343143","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pre-diabetes (pre-DM) is a strong predictor of diabetes (DM) over time. This study investigated how much of the recent increase in pre-DM identified among Alaska Native (AN) peoples living in urban southcentral Alaska may be due to changes in diagnostic methods. We used clinical and demographic data collected at baseline between 2004 and 2006 and at follow-up collected between 2015 and 2017 from the urban southcentral Alaska Education and Research Towards Health (EARTH) cohort. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression to explore differences in demographic and clinical variables among the identified pre-DM groups. Of 388 participants in the follow-up study, 243 had A1c levels indicating pre-DM with only 20 demonstrating pre-DM also by fasting blood glucose (FBG). Current smoking was the sole predictor for pre-DM by A1c alone while abdominal obesity and elevated FBG-predicted pre-DM by A1c+FBG. No participants had an elevated FBG without an A1c elevation. A substantial portion of the rise in pre-DM found among urban southcentral AN peoples in the EARTH follow-up study was due to the addition of A1c testing. Pre-DM by A1c alone should be used to motivate behavioural changes that address modifiable risk factors, including smoking cessation, physical activity and weight management.</p>","PeriodicalId":13930,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Circumpolar Health","volume":"83 1","pages":"2343143"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11064735/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140852556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Allexis Mahanna, Britteny M Howell, Amber K Worthington, Leslie C Redmond, Vanessa Y Hiratsuka
{"title":"Fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, and functional fitness among older adults in urban Alaska.","authors":"Allexis Mahanna, Britteny M Howell, Amber K Worthington, Leslie C Redmond, Vanessa Y Hiratsuka","doi":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2359164","DOIUrl":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2359164","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Older adults often face barriers to obtaining recommended diet, physical activity, and fitness levels. Understanding these patterns can inform effective interventions targeting health beliefs and behavior. This cross-sectional study included a multicultural sample of 58 older adults (aged 55+ years, M=71.98) living in independent senior housing in urban Southcentral Alaska. Participants completed a questionnaire and the Senior Fitness Test that assessed self-reported fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, self-efficacy, and functional fitness. T-tests and bivariate correlation analyses were used to test six hypotheses. Results indicated that participants had low physical activity but had a mean fruit and vegetable intake that was statistically significantly higher than the hypothesized \"low\" score. Only 4.26% of participants met functional fitness standards for balance/agility, and 8.51% met standards for lower-body strength. However, 51.1% met standards for upper-body strength and 46.8% met standards for endurance The results also indicated that nutrition self-efficacy and exercise self-efficacy were positively related to fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity levels, respectively. Interestingly, income was not related to nutrition or activity patterns. These data complicate the picture on dietary and physical activity patterns for older adults in Alaska and offer recommendations for future health promotion activities.</p>","PeriodicalId":13930,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Circumpolar Health","volume":"83 1","pages":"2359164"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11138220/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141161515","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katie Cueva, Malory Peterson, Ay'aqulluk Jim Chaliak, Rebecca Ipiaqruk Young
{"title":"A qualitative exploration of the impacts of COVID-19 in two rural Southwestern Alaska communities.","authors":"Katie Cueva, Malory Peterson, Ay'aqulluk Jim Chaliak, Rebecca Ipiaqruk Young","doi":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2313823","DOIUrl":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2313823","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This manuscript presents a qualitative exploration of the experiences of people in two Southwestern Alaska communities during the emergence of COVID-19 and subsequent pandemic response. The project used principles of community based participatory research and honoured Indigenous ways of knowing throughout the study design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination. Data was collected in 2022 through group and individual conversations with community members, exploring impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants included Elders, community health workers, Tribal council members, government employees, school personnel, and emergency response personnel. Notes and written responses were coded using thematic qualitative analysis. The most frequently identified themes were 1) feeling disconnected from family, friends, and other relationships, 2) death, 3) the Tribal councils did a good job, and 4) loss of celebrations and ceremonies. While the findings highlighted grief and a loss of social cohesion due to the pandemic, they also included indicators of resilience and thriving, such as appropriate and responsive local governance, revitalisation of traditional medicines, and coming together as a community to survive. This case study was conducted as part of an international collaboration to identify community-driven, evidence-based recommendations to inform pan-Arctic collaboration and decision making in public health during global emergencies.</p>","PeriodicalId":13930,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Circumpolar Health","volume":"83 1","pages":"2313823"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10989197/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140335533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Use of telehealth for paediatric rehabilitation needs of Indigenous children - a scoping review.","authors":"Rosalie Dostie, Hailey Dunn, Wendie N Marks, Chantal Camden, Stacey Lovo","doi":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2308944","DOIUrl":"10.1080/22423982.2024.2308944","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Telerehabilitation is proposed as a promising avenue to enhance service accessibility for Indigenous communities, yet its application for Indigenous children remains relatively unexplored. This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR framework to explore current knowledge on the use of telerehabilitation for Indigenous children. Ten scholarly databases, seven grey literature databases, reference searches, and expert consultations were utilised to identify relevant studies. Included articles discussed the use of telerehabilitation provided by rehabilitation professionals (e.g. occupational therapist (OT), physical therapist (PT), speech and language pathologist (SLP) to Indigenous children and/or caregivers. Seven studies were included. Telerehabilitation was explored in different ways, the most common being real-time videoconferencing by SLPs. While some studies explicitly acknowledged cultural responsiveness within both the research process and the intervention, most were not designed for Indigenous children and their caregivers; rather, these participants were included with non-Indigenous participants. Successful implementation and sustainability of telerehabilitation services requires addressing technological limitations, understanding, and respecting diverse worldviews, and co-developing services to meet the unique needs of Indigenous families. Telerehabilitation has been rarely used with Indigenous children and when it was, little attention was given to cultural considerations. These findings emphasise that future telerehabilitation interventions should be truly community-led to ensure cultural relevance.</p>","PeriodicalId":13930,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Circumpolar Health","volume":"83 1","pages":"2308944"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10848996/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139697346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}